Exc01. Montserrat (6h Trip out of Barcelona)

The Sanctuary of the Virgin of Montserrat is more than a place of worship; it has always symbolized the identity of the Catalan people. First at all we will visit the Sanctuary, we will understand what it represents for Catalan people, we will learn about the Benedictine monks, and it is a must to greet the Black Madonna, Female Patroness Saint of Catalonia.But, when we go up to the mountain it is not only for spiritual reasons, but to be in contact with the natural reserve as well. We will reach the very top of the mountain by funicular to go hiking following an easy path to see the magnificent views: the Pyrenees Mountains (border with France) and to admire the peculiar shapes of Montserrat, reason of its name. (If hiking is not for you, we can visit the museum of Art; to stop for a coffee; or to taste the typical home made food at the Farmers’ market as “Mel i Mató”).
Finally we will listen to the boys’ choir (the oldest choir in Europe).

On our return journey, we can do the last part of our trip by taking the cable car or the rack railway.

Itinerary:

– Basilica of Montserrat.
– Montserrat Farmers’ market: taste the typical home made food.
– Funicular to go hiking or just to admire the panoramic views / or Art museum (I recommended the funicular).
– To listen the boys’ choir of Montserrat.
– Cable Car or Rack Railway: Possibility to take the Cable Car or Rack Railway on our return journey.

What's Included?

• My services as your PRIVATE TOUR GUIDE: you are not part of a larger group.
• LICENSED TOUR GUIDE: to have passed the official exams of the Catalane Government, it is a guarantee of my knowledge for you. Besides, the license authorizes me to guide you inside monuments and museums.
• TO BOOK THE necessary ENTRANCES for your tour: service included.
• The TRANSPORT that you have chosen.

What's Extra? & Estimated Euros Needed

• Ticket for the FUNICULAR of Saint Joan: 6,50€ per person / or Montserrat MUSEUM: 7€ per person
• Optional: to take the CABLE CAR or the RACK RAILWAY: 6,30€ per person
• Optional: FARMERS’ FOOD HOME MADE PRODUCTS

Transportation Method

Meet up location / End location

I will MEET YOU at your hotel/apartment; at the cruise ship terminal or wherever we agree (as long as it is in Barcelona).
I will DROP YOU OFF wherever you want: hotel, cruise ship terminal, etc.

AIRPORT: If you want to start or finish this tour at the Airport, it has an extra cost of 40€

Minimum & Maximum travellers

1 to 9 persons (my car has a maximum capacity for 4 travellers and me. Up to 6 travellers, plus the driver and me we can use the Mercedes. If you need a bigger vehicle, please ask me prices)

Notes / restrictions

BOYS’ CHOIR AVAILABILITY: it’s not possible to see the boys’ choir on Saturdays; neither in their Holy week holydays (April 17th – 22th); or in their summer holydays (June 25th – Aug 21st); or on Christmas (Dec 26th – Jan 9th), but it doesn’t prevent us to do this tour.
DRESS CODE: confortable shoes for hiking.
DISABILITY: a wheelchair accessible vehicles it’s preferable, but if you use a scooter it is necessary to rent a habilitated vehicle for this tour. Please ask for prices.

Tour Extensions

Extend this tour by 2/3 hours to eat in a typical Catalan restaurant and to do one of these activities:
– to visit the Güell’s Crypt (a lovely work of Gaudi 25 minutes away from Barcelona).
– to visit a familiar champagne winery (called cava)
– to take a hot-air balloon and to see the surroundings of Montserrat from the air.